James P. Burns, 68

LEE, Mass. — James Peter Burns, 68, of 10 Highland Drive in East Greenbush, N.Y., formerly of Lee, Mass., died Thursday, March 8, 2018, at his home after a long illness.

He was born in Pittsfield, Mass., on June 4, 1949, the son of James J. Burns and Alma Bartini Burns. Jim was a 1967 graduate of Lee High School and graduated from Salem State University in 1972 with a B.A. in Secondary Education and Business. He then continued his education at the University of Vermont with a M.S.Ed. in Special Education, and later received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota in 1981.

Jim was a long-time faculty member of the Lally School of Education at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, specializing in behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. He was a prolific storyteller, always ready and willing to tell an amusing tale from his past experiences. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Kathleen Ann Tyer Burns, also from Lee, Massachusetts.

He leaves behind his son, Matthew Burns of East Greenbush, N.Y.; his daughter, Jaime Burns Daunais and her husband Patrick Daunais of Underhill, Vermont; his sister, Joan Piacquadio of Lee, Massachusetts; his brother Richard Burns and his wife Alba Burns of Lee, Massachusetts; three grandchildren, Alma Burns and Aiden and Tessa Daunais; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral notice: Funeral Services for James Burns will be held Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Lee with a Liturgy of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Visiting Hours will be held the same morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make a donation to The Community Hospice Foundation 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208.